Return to the incident list: Incident List Trike rollover at beach site PPG Type: Type of Injury:

Pilot Details

Age: 40 Weight: 170 Gender: Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Pilot experience level:

Gear Details

Wing Brand: Model: Swing Arcus Size: Paramotor Frame: Fly Gold 115 w/ Flash Trike with

Incident Details

September 22, 2008 Location of the incident: , Type of Incident:

I set up my trike launch slightly off-center to the wind to take advantage of a longer runway in the parking lot. I figured once I kited up the wing I could control it into the crosswind because it was light enough (around 5 – 7 mph). This was at a beach site with the wind coming off the water. I started my launch and immediately felt the wing inflating off to one side. I continued to apply power to get the wing up overhead but the wing continued to go off to the right. I then applied left brake in an attempt to bring the wing overhead but it was too late. Next thing I know I’m out of control and being pulled over onto my right side. I didn’t react quickly enough and the roll bar came down on my right arm and I was pinned. I also felt a sharp pain in my left ring finger possibly from a paraglider line getting caught (although I was not wearing any rings). A bystander rushed over and asked how he could help. I had him right the trike and was then able to extricate myself. The prop was shattered and the cage was bent on the right side. There did not appear to be any other significant damage to the unit. I appear to have sprained my right arm and wrist and my left ring finger. There were no broken bones or fractures indicated by a later X-RAY. In analyzing the accident I have concluded the following: 1) I was not set up directly into the wind. This is very hazardous in a site where there is a wind shadow on the ground (because of the recessed nature of the parking lot) but a significant breeze above 10 feet or so. Once the wing started to come up past that wind gradient it immediately fell off-center before I had a chance to control it using the brakes. 2) Once it was apparent that the inflation was extremely off-center I did not immediately abort the launch but continued to apply power to bring the wing up above. This created an extremely hazardous situation where I was giving an off-center wing sufficient power to lift one side of the trike. Aborting the launch at this point by killing the motor would probably have prevented the rollover from occurring. 3) After I lost control of the trike I did not let go of the controls and protect my extremities from impact by going into the brace position. This would have most likely prevented my injuries.

Flight Window: Wind Speed: Type: Phase of Flight: Type of Injury: Collateral Damage: Analysis of the incident (additional input by the incident investigation team): Photos (if available):

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